21-year-old Plymouth soldier killed in Afghanistan

A 21-year-old soldier from Plymouth was one of two Army paratroopers found dead Tuesday in Afghanistan. Army Spec. Benjamin Sherman was the other man had been missing since last week. He and his wife, Patricia, were expecting their first child.

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

Writer

Posted Nov. 11, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 11, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Posted Nov. 11, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 11, 2009 at 11:23 AM

» Social News

A Plymouth native was one of two Army paratroopers found dead Tuesday in Afghanistan, according to a family statement.

Army Spec. Benjamin Sherman, 21, a 2006 graduate of Plymouth South High School, disappeared with another soldier on Nov. 4 as they tried to recover airdropped supplies that fell into a river in western Afghanistan. Sherman's sister, Meredith, told WCVB that the military has confirmed his death to the family. She said her brother and his wife, Patricia, were expecting their first child.

Benjamin and Patricia Sherman

The two paratroopers, from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, disappeared in Badghis province, a remote area that borders Turkmenistan. Local police had said the two had been swept away by the river as they tried to recover the supplies.

Afghan and international forces are still searching for the second soldier.

During the first days of the search, intense fighting broke out with militants in the area. Eight Afghans – four soldiers, three policemen and an interpreter – were killed, while 17 Afghan troops and five American soldiers were wounded.

Patricia Sherman, a 2006 graduate of Plymouth North High School, told the Standard Times of New Bedford that she and her husband had dated since eighth grade. They married last year and recently bought a house near Fort Bragg, N.C.

She said he was a drummer in a band and played in high school. He enjoyed golf and getting tattoos. In his junior year he earned straight As.

“He was an amazing husband, amazing brother, amazing son, an amazing all-around person,” she told the newspaper. “He would always drop whatever he was doing to make sure everyone was OK. He was a very caring person.”

She said he was on his second tour of duty and planned on a a career in the Army.

"God Bless you Ben! I Love you so much an always will! Help me get through this and help care for our child! Your my world my everything. That will never change! stay strong up there and watch over us gracefully! I Love you past till death do us part. Comfort me in this time! I love u Benjamin!"

Page 2 of 3 - Sherman lived in New Bedford before moving to Plymouth at age 3. He was the son of William Sherman of Fairhaven, the brother of Melissa Sherman of Plymouth and Jessica Santos of New Bedford and the grandson of Barbara Richmond of Plymouth and Adele Sherman of New Bedford.

Meredith Sherman released the following statement and one from her mother.

My brother is the type of man whose main values are honor, respect and standing up for what you believe in. Yet, more importantly, he was all about brotherhood. He would consider every single soldier, friend or even a stranger his brother. I know that day he jumped into the river to try to save his comrade was not because he didn’t just see another soldier in the water, he saw his brother. He didn’t jump in because he was trained to, but because that’s what his heart told him to do. There is not a doubt in my mind he would do the same for each and every single individual not only in the United States but anywhere in the world. I love my brother more than anything and I am heartbroken at the loss we are suffering. He was fun loving, brave and full of life and everything he did he did 150%. He put his heart and soul into anything and everything. He loved tattoos, music, drums and was an avid Boston sports fan. He LOVED his Red Sox. But most importantly family, he loved his family. He didn’t consider his friends, “friends,” he considered them family. He was the perfect brother, even when he teased me as little kids, yet we always had a close bond. He was an amazing son, brother, husband and soldier and I will never forget him. I hope you can find it in your heart to pray for Benjamin and his fellow comrades. And I want to personally thank each and every soldier fighting for our freedom Please ask the nation to come together for all of us.

Sincerely,

Meredith P. Sherman

You do not know my son personally. I would like to share with you about him. He was raised under the American flag to be honorable, loyal, respectful and courteous. He was strong willed and has never been a quitter. I raised him with the understanding that when you choose to do something you do it to the best of your ability. He was powerful, ingenuous and determined. Perhaps now you understand why he fit in the Army so well. We called him the unstoppable one. There are many who are strong believers in the power of prayer including Benjamin’s family, friends and colleges. I am requesting because we are One Nation under God that you ask for our nation to come together and pray. To pray for all who are missing to persevere, be found safe and returned home, for those have gone before us and have made their sacrifice to our country, for those who serve our great nation to be guided and protected. We have volunteer Armed Forces which gives amazing credit to those who serve. I pray for our leaders every day that they are guided to make good decisions. I ask that you honor this request. Let us not forget, Let us pray until they are all home.